Mardi Himal Trekking

Mardi Himal trekking primary aim is to reach at the Base Camp of Mardi Himal. Mardi Himal Base Camp trek only opened for the trekkers since 2012 but it has gained quick popularity. Mardi Himal trek trail situated just east of the Annapurna Base Camp and close to the Pokhara. This trek offers an opportunity to explore transitional villages, infinite and diversity of cultural, amazing views of mountains and tempting views of the river. The trek goes through ancient rhododendron forests and takes you up close with Mardi Himal. On this trek you see the most beautiful mountains Mardi Himal, Machhapuchhre (fishtail), Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Ganga Purna and Annapurna I.

There are several starting points of the Mardi Himal trek, but Kande and Dhampus Phedi are most popular. Below given trek itinerary also starts from Dhampus phedi after 40 minutes' drive from Pokhara. First steeps trail to Dhampus village then level and steep walk to Pothana (1950 m) then up again to Deurali (2100 m). There is a right turn in Deurali sign posted “Forest Camp” the trail is through the jungle, at first up then undulating on the top of a ridge, there is a section just over half way where the trail drops steeply and then slowly gains height and then back onto the ridge and into Forest Camp (2554 m).

Mardi Himal trek trail is initially quite steep leaving Forest Camp but soon gets less steep as you again get up on the ridge. The trail leaves Low Camp again in the jungle, but the trees soon start to get smaller and after about one hour trekking broke out of the jungle and onto the open ridge with spectacular views of Machhapuchhre ahead and Annapurna South to my left. It is possible to continue trekking along the ridge for another 4 to 5 hours to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500 m) and return to High Camp in around 4 hours.

This makes a long day but there is also a viewpoint about half way, the amazing view can be from here. After that, we trek down to High Camp then continue to Low Camp then we trek Sidhing and Saidighatta. From Saidighatta, we drive back to Pokhara and drive the next day to Kathmandu.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu airport- transfer hotel
Day 02: Sightseeing to Swayambhunath, Kathmandu and Patan
Day 03: Drive or Flight to Pokhara (820 m)
Day 04: Drive to Phedi and trek to Pothana
Day 05: Trek from Pothana to Forest Camp (2554 m)
Day 06: Trek to High Camp (3980 m)
Day 07: Trek to Mardi Himal Base Camp (4350 m) and back to High Camp
Day 08: Trek from High Camp to Siding Village
Day 09: Trek from Siding Village to Saidighatta and drive to Pokhara
Day 10: Drive or Flight to Kathmandu (1350 m)
Day 11: Sightseeing to Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Bhaktapur
Day 12: Drive to Airport for flying your own destination